My House is SCREAMING at Me!!!

Houses can’t talk, or can they? I know that on the surface it sounds crazy, but I want to share from the perspective of a house whisperer like myself, houses are screaming for help. This is especially true in the wintertime when the snow has fallen, melted, and fallen again. About every 3 to 5 years we have one of those prime house yelling winters here in Orem, Utah, and this happens to be one of those years.

Let me show you a house that is yelling loudly...

The house is mad that its light pink was painted drab grey light green. It decided to open up the flashing joint from the chimney above and allow rain and snow melt to run down through the roof and soffit areas until it could finally strip off some of the paint and expose the original beauty. Of course, to accomplish this, the soffits have rotted and sagged from the long term leak. And while the owners may not like the fact that the house is yelling, “Hey I want my pretty pink brick back!”, but the evidences reveal real issues with the roof and flashing systems. You might think that this issue would be so obvious that it should have never gotten to this point, but that is just not the case. Many homeowners have these types of issues but refuse to listen and prefer to ignore what their homes are trying to tell them.

Let’s look at a home that is being a bit more vocal...

At this time of year the wet stains should be enough to catch somebody’s attention as this house has long been yelling, “Hey, can’t you store the unsightly garbage cans somewhere else?” For several years nobody knew how the home was feeling, so it opened up a roof joint and has been piddling rain and snow melt down the structural brick wall leaving discoloration and white efflorescence down beyond the trash cans. Is the homeowner listening? Obviously not! After all, they only go on the side of the house once a week to put the trash cans out for pick up.

Now let’s look at a a real screamer that is still going unnoticed...

While driving by this just looks like a pretty Christmas scene with icicles coming off the roof. I think this house must be kind of Scroogish and dislikes the Christmas lights, so it is attempting to amputate the outer portion of the carport and soffit roof structure. The house is screaming, “Bah Humbug!”... But do you really think it is that bad? Let’s put a flash on the subject and change our angle of observation...

HOT TIP - Here’s a hot tip, icicles are not supposed to form from the back side of the fascia. The brown painted wood above is also NOT supposed to be green and rotted. Yes the house is screaming, and has been for many years!!!

WHERE ARE YOUR ICICLES ORIGINATING FROM?

That certainly doesn’t look good!

Closer up doesn’t look any better!

Help!... Help!... HEEEEEEELLLLLP!!!

So what is your house screaming to you? Right now is a good time to go and take a listen.

What is your experience with icicle damage?

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW. THANKS!

About the author

Since 1995, Master Inspector Michael Leavitt has continued to run the finest inspection firm in Northern Utah. Michael Loves to write and this business portion of his blog captures fun moments and informative topics geared towards educating and entertaining homeowners and other real estate professionals. Michael has consistently built his inspection reputation by being extremely thorough in our inspection protocols. If you are looking for the finest inspection firm in Northern Utah, then confidently draw upon Michael’s experience and order your inspection today!!!